#ephriam reagan

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What will Jolene do once Jonah comes home? Will she tell him everything? or continue to close him out of her life? The next chapter of Chasing Shadows is available on my WP Blog if you want to read it now otherwise it'll be added to the queue to start on Monday.

Cecil was made by @mahvaladara

I actually have two more chapters written. Just have to get screenshots. We're getting so close to the end of this story, then we'll give them a little break while I torture another segment of the family.

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“Are you sure you want to join a band that doesn’t play your preferred music?” Jonah asked.

“Dad It’s just a high school band, it’s not like we’re going to get a music deal or anything,” Eli protested.

“Maybe you should form a boy band,” Jolene said with a wicked glint in her eyes “that way you could become a heartthrob and have your poster plastered all over someone’s bedroom wall.”

“I just want to play music with my friends,” Eli protested.

“All I’m saying is you need to get out and meet people. Go on a date.” Jolene said “and being in a band is a good way to do that. You’ll have all the girls and probably a few boys begging you for a date.”

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As soon as Jonah stepped inside the house he was swarmed by his children. The youngest all vying for attention at once. Jonah did his best to divide his attention between all of them, hugging and kissing them as they welcomed him home. This was the best part of being on tour, the homecoming.

Once the little ones had their fill and were busy with the presents Jonah had given them Eli stepped forward. “Welcome home dad,” Eli held his hand out only to draw Jonah into a hug once he had taken his hand. “I’ve missed you,” he said as Jonah squeezed him tight.

“I’ve missed you too,” Jonah said, stepping back. “Are you sure this is what you want to be when you grow up?”

Grinning Eli nodded “you bet. I’ve always wanted my own band.”

Ruffling his son’s hair Jonah nodded “I know. You’ve said it ever since we gave you your first guitar.” He couldn’t believe that it was almost fifteen years ago. Where had the time gone?

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“Well I don’t,” Jolene said as if that settled things.

“Then eat leftovers,” Eli asserted “there’s plenty in the fridge to choose from.”

“Leftovers are so yesterday,” Jolene whined.

“Hence the name,” Eli said, taking Cai’s hand as he turned towards Cecil. “I’ll get things started while you check on dad.”

“Can we help,” Ephy and Ezekial asked together.

“Sure can,” Eli said, leading the way to the kitchen.

Jolene stood immobile for a moment then followed her brothers, mumbling something about supervising them.

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“Why’s the house so dark?” Ephy asked as they all piled in the entryway looking around them like they had entered the wrong house.

“Where’s Dad?” Ezekial asked, turning to Cecil as if he had the answer.

Eli looked towards Cecil too, his green eyes worried instead of the surprise that was in his younger siblings’ questions. “He’s probably resting. He’s been working a lot on his new record.”

“Well I’m hungry,” Jolene announced. “I thought he would have had dinner ready and waiting for us when we got home. I guess Cecil will just have to grill us something to eat.”

Setting Cai on the floor Cecil nodded. “Let me check on your dad first then I’ll grill us all some hot dogs.”

“Hot dogs,” Jolene cried “those are so gross. Do you know what they put in hot dogs?”

“No,” Eli said “and we don’t care. We all like them.” His three younger brothers all nodded in agreement.

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“Come on Ephy don’t be mad,” Ezekial cajoled “Eli won’t be gone forever. He’ll be home every weekend.”

“It won’t be the same,” he said, wiping a hand across his eyes.

“No it won’t,” Eli agreed “but we’re still brother’s and that will never change.”

“You sure.” Ephy demanded half turning around to glare at him.

“I’m positive,” Eli said. “So how about that hug.”

“Ok, as long as you promise you won’t change,” Ephy said.

“Promise,” Eli said, giving his brother a hug. “You can call me anytime you want to talk.”

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“We don’t want you to go,” Ephy cried, stomping his feet in protest.

Ezekial gave him a wide eyed stare “do you have to go?” he asked softly.

“It won’t be forever,” Eli said, focusing his attention on Ezekial hoping that Ephy wouldn’t divulge into a temper tantrum. “I’ll come home on the weekends and we’ll do all kinds of stuff together.”

“You promise,” Ezekial prompted. 

“I promise,” Eli assured him. “Come on, give me a hug,” he held his arms open and his little brother moved into them. “What about you, Ephy? Give me a hug.”

“No,” Ephy turned his back, crossing his arms as if that would make Eli change his mind.

[dandylion240]

Eli makes his goodbyes to his family before moving to Magic School with Jolene. However one family member isn't pleased with their decision. Will Ethan be able to convince them not to go? The next chapter of Chasing Shadows is available on my WP Blog if you want to read it now; otherwise it will be added to the queue and posted later.

Cecil was made by @mahvaladara

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Jolene and Ephy watched intently each hoping for a different result. 

Ezekial let out a breath of air that left him weak once he was done and the mess on the floor was once more a stack of books and toys. Not one fused to the other. “I did it,” he whispered in disbelief “I really did it.”

“I knew you could,” Ephy said.

“Humph,” Jolene grunted “I guess you're not as worthless as I thought.”

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“Is that so?” Jolene scoffed, eyeing the two boys. A knowing grin spread across her face as she said “prove it.”

Swallowing audibly Ezekial stammered “I .. I …”

“You can do it?” she asked, giving him a wide eyed, almost innocent looking gaze. 

“He doesn’t have to prove anything to you,” Ephy asserted “besides we’re not supposed to do magic without Mama Cecil…”

Pointing at the mess on the floor, Joelen shrugged, “that didn’t stop you before.”

“Fine,” Ezekiel said. “I’ll do it.” He closed his eyes trying to see the words as he began to recite them. 

[dandylion240]

Eli decides to form a band with his best friends and Jolene wants in on the action. The next chapter of Chasing Shadows is available on my WP Blog if you want to read it now otherwise it'll be added to the queue and posted later.

Tara Schafer was made by @katmk36

Cecil Reagan was made by @mahvaladara

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Stepping forward, Josie laid a gentle hand on her younger cousin’s shoulder, saying “you’re not going to lose your hand.”

“He might,” Jolene insisted, relishing her position as healer and informer of unpleasant things.

“Jolene,” Jonah snapped sharply.

Jolene glanced up at him “It’s true. I don’t see why I need to sugarcoat the truth just because he’s a big baby.”

“How would you like to be told you might lose your hand,” Josie asked her. 

“That wouldn’t happen,” Jolene scoffed. “I’m too good at magic to make stupid mistakes.”

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The chilling scream of one of his in pain had Jonah jumping to his feet and running towards his son’s bedroom. He didn’t hear his brother’s questions in his rush to assist his children. Throwing the door open, his brain struggled to comprehend what his eyes were telling him. 

“Dad,” Ephy cried “I didn’t mean to.” His face was slick with tears and mucus.

Jonah dropped to his knees beside Ezekial. “Let me see,” he requested, keeping his tone gentle so as not to frighten his son any more than he already was. 

“It hurts,” Ezekial said between sobs.

“I know it does,” Jonah said gently, taking the injured hand. It was badly swollen, with skin stretched to the breaking point. Ugly blisters were forming over the charred surface. If Jonah hadn’t known it was a hand he wouldn’t have known what it was. 

Behind him Jolene crossed her arms giving her younger brother a self important smug look. “I knew you couldn’t do it.”

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“Alright,” Ephy screwed up his face in concentration, mumbling the spell he’d been practicing for weeks.

“No Ephy, don’t,” Ezekial shouted trying to get his brother’s attention. Ezekiel had been practicing the spell for hours, while he didn’t know the spell he did know when it didn’t sound right and Ephy’s spell wasn’t right. 

Cai dropped his block to reach for one of his favorite story books. “Story,” he requested as Ephy released his spell towards the books on the floor.

To Ezekial it felt as if time had slowed down and sped up as he reached for Cai to push him out of the way of the errant spell. The spell hit Ezekial’s outstretched hand instead of Cai’s head. There was an instant searing, burning sensation that tore a scream from his lips as the skin melted from his hand.

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“Why can’t you share with Cai?” Jonah asked.

Ephy shrugged, “don’t like him.”

Kneeling down Jonah motioned for Ezekial to join them. “Why don’t you like him?” This had been going on for the past week, ever since they had moved Cai into their room.

Ezekiel glanced over at Ephy as asking him what he was thinking. 

“Ezekial don’t look at Ephy,” Jonah instructed “tell me what you’re thinking.” It was probably the first time he noticed how much Ephy spoke for Ezekial. 

Ezekiel’s eyes strayed towards Ephy once more, almost pleading for him to tell him what to say.

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“I’m not stupid,” Ephy whined.

“Are too,” Jolene said “you can’t do a simple transfiguration spell without hurting..”

“We don’t have time for this,” Jonah interrupted, “I’m taking your brother to the hospital.”

Jolene huffed “I can make him good as new.” She grabbed his injured hand roughly causing Ezekial to scream out in pain.

“Gentle,” Josie reprimanded her as she wrapped an arm around her younger cousin. “Zeke, it’s going to be alright.” Turning her attention to Jolene she instructed “visualize the cells mending the damage, like a movie going in reverse.”

“I really think we should go…” Jonah said moving to take his son from Josie’s arms when he stopped mesmerized at the sight of blisters melting into the skin that had once been red and swollen.